The IELTS Speaking test lasts for a mere 11 to 14 minutes but it is equally important as the other tests. The IELTS speaking test involves the test taker speaking about a range of topics. From personal interests to general topics, the speaking test is designed to evaluate the test taker’s ability to understand and interact with the people around him. 

For performing decently in the IELTS Speaking test, the test taker must learn to articulate his thoughts. He must express his thoughts clearly. He must stay level-headed and confident while answering the questions. He must display his proficiency in spoken English.

How to score well in IELTS

IELTS is a demanding test of the English language. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking are all tested in the IELTS exam. You should be able to perfect all these abilities to obtain a good score. In a nutshell, preparing for the IELTS involves more than just getting a good score. The test is about demonstrating your English Language Skills.

• The test taker must have a comprehensive approach for your preparation by balancing practicing all four sections.
• Practice consistently and start the preparation well in advance.
• Enhance your vocabulary by learning new words, idioms, and phrases.
• Read newspapers, magazines and listen to podcasts to improve your skills in the reading and listening section.
• Practice writing summaries and essays to improve your writing skills.

IELTS Module Structure

IELTS has four sections or components. Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking are the four components of IELTS. Moreover, Academic Training and General Training are the two variants of the IELTS test. The details of the four sections of the IELTS are as follows.

Paper	Reading test	Listening test	Writing test	Speaking test
Questions/task	40 questions	40 questions	2 questions	3 stages
Time Period	60 minutes	40 minutes	60 minutes	11- 14 minutes

IELTS Reading

• Time Management is the key as the test taker is supposed to answer 40 questions in 60 minutes.
• IELTS Reading test features texts from newspapers, journals, and magazines.
• The texts test the reading comprehension abilities of the test taker at the academic level.
• The style, tone, and structure of the texts may come in different types.
• The texts may be accompanied by diagrams or figures.

IELTS Listening

• The IELTS listening test has four sections, with each section containing ten questions.
• Extreme concentration is required because the audio is played once and only once.
• Time management is a must because the test takers get only thirty minutes and ten minutes for transferring answers.
• A variety of accents may be exposed to the test taker.
• Different types of questions like multiple choice questions and sentence completion are asked to the students.

IELTS Writing 

• Academic Training and General Training and IELTS have different tasks.
• IELTS Writing test requires students to complete two tasks in 60 minutes.
• The briefs/ questions asked to the student will require students to write a response to them.
• The answers must be rational, fair, and relevant.
• The test is required to answer not in bullet points or short notes but proper answers.

IELTS Speaking 

• The IELTS Speaking test lasts for 11 to 14 minutes.
• The test determines whether the test taker has decent English-speaking skills and is recorded.
• The IELTS Speaking test can be taken the same day as the other tests or a different day.
• The Speaking test has three parts that last between three to five minutes.
• The test taker can request the examiner to repeat the question asked to him if he did not understand the question.

IELTS Preparation tips before the test day

Taking the IELTS test can be intimidating however if the test taker has studied well, then he need not worry about performing well in the test. He must be fully prepared to take the exam. Here are some IELTS preparation tips that students should keep in mind before the big day.

• The test taker must ensure that he has the required identity proof with him. This must match the identity proof submitted during the test application.
• He must make sure that is fully acquainted with the test centre. He must make sure that he has his itinerary planned out.
• He must confirm the time of the test beforehand to avoid any delays.
• The test taker must remember that no watches are allowed in the test room. A clock may be present in the test room for his convenience.
• The test taker must follow all the rules of the test and not take part in any unethical practices like cheating.

Tips for IELTS Listening Test

• Stay calm and focussed since the listening test requires a lot of concentration.
• In the IELTS Listening test, the test taker must listen to the recording/audio and figure out the answers to the questions as accurately as quickly as possible.
• Start taking notes as the recording is only played once for the candidate.
• The candidate must ensure that his headphones function properly and inform the supervisor if they don’t.

Tips for IELTS Reading Test

• In the IELTS Reading test, the test taker must read quickly and accurately. He must understand where deep reading or skimming the text is required.
• The candidate must read the questions carefully and look for the correct answers.
• Try answering as many questions as possible since there is no negative marking in the test.
• In the IELTS Reading section, the candidate must understand the type of questions asked to him and answer them accordingly.

Tips for IELTS Speaking Test

• The test taker must carefully enunciate all the words and demonstrate clarity of thought during the IELTS speaking section.
• The candidate must be confident and clear with his speech while answering the questions.
• Pay adequate attention to vocabulary, tenses, syntax, and sentence form.
• The test taker must make sure to answer all the questions accurately without pausing or fumbling.

Tips for IELTS Writing Test

• In the IELTS Writing test, the test taker must start by preparing a mental plan of the written task that is to be completed.
• He must manage his time carefully ensuring that he can write down his answers as precisely and quickly as possible.
• He must write using the rules of grammar and sentence structure.
• He must modify and proofread his answer before finally submitting them.

IELTS Results

Once a candidate takes the test, he eagerly waits for IELTS Results. The IELTS results are released to the candidate 13 days after the test-taking date. Only one copy of the results is provided to the test taker. Those applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) may be provided two copies.

IELTS Results use a 9-band scoring system. The results do not have a pass or fail system like conventional exams. If a candidate is dissatisfied with his test scores, he may inquire about the test results. He can select the sections of the IELTS test he wants to be re-evaluated. This can only be done within six weeks of the test at the test centre in which he took the test. The candidate will be charged a fee for this inquiry which will be refunded if there is a change in his score.

Also read

• IELTS Overview
  
• IELTS Syllabus
  
• IELTS Registration
  
• IELTS Test Centers

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